I am not a Congressional insider. I spend most of my time worrying about states, and let others worry about Congress.
But I have to say—this Jim Jordan fiasco provides an incredible window into how election denialism impacts everything, including now within the Republican caucus.
Let me explain:
One Republican (to his credit, one standing up to Jordan) I watched on CNN yesterday actually explained this well. How rogue the Jordan effort really is.
A few words from that Republican reminded me of something we all have known but is getting lost amid the Jordan chaos—that the way it usually works is that whoever wins the majority caucus’s vote for Speaker, wins the Speakership.
Why? Because elections are supposed to matter. Majorities matter.
And because elections matter, those on the losing side of that vote within the majority Caucus have always agreed to accept that election loss, and then together vote for the caucus winner when the entire House later votes for Speaker (ie. when all members of House—both parties—vote).
So what is happening here that’s different? That’s rogue?
Jordan LOST the vote for Speaker within his caucus. Steve Scalise (who worries me for all sorts of reasons) beat him fair and square.
But some of those members who voted for Jordan now refuse to vote for Scalise in the broader vote of the whole House.
They say they will only vote for Jordan then as well.
They insist that Jordan be crowned Speaker even when he LOST the caucus vote to be Speaker—when he couldn’t even convince a majority of his own party to support him.
Sort of like losing a primary but insisting you get to win the general election anyway.
Of course, true to form, Jordan also thinks he should get to be Speaker even though he failed to win the actual election he ran for Speaker.
He is hoping that by refusing to play by the rules, and by bullying people to submission, revving up Fox News, getting Trump to make calls, and even harassing spouses, etc., he will win even when he lost.
It’s yet another example of the poisonous mindset of election denialism. And how once it seeps in, it keeps going. It keeps getting worse.
Through brute force tactics, breaking rules and conventions, and outright threats, you get to secure power even after you lose in a democratic process.
You just refuse to accept the results, then win anyway.
And it’s another reminder of just how dangerous Jim Jordan is. Whether it’s January 6, or his own Speaker Election, this is what he does—and this is what he will do: refuse to give up power even when he lost a democratic process that followed the accepted rules.
It’s ALSO a reminder of why we all have to stand up to this, Republicans included.
Which is why I am so dumbfounded that so many people who voted for Scalise are now saying they will vote for Jordan.
In fact, the only reason it’s playing out this way is that so many Republicans are allowing Jordan to do it—not Jordan supporters (remember, they lost and are in the minority), but former Scalise supporters! They’re the only reason it’s happening, because so many are now lining up for Jordan.
Why on earth would you ever cave to this BS?
You WON the Speaker election. You were in the majority of your caucus.
Why would you ever let Jordan and his allies reduce your winning vote to 💩 by letting the guy who lost end up winning? By giving him your vote. By not laughing him out of the room when he asks for it.
Why would Scalise himself ever agree to that?
That would be as absurd as Ohio voters agreeing to let 40% of Ohio stop 60% from amending our state’s constitution. (They saw through that and refused!) So why would politicians go along with it?!
All of this shows that what Jordan is trying to pull off here is dangerous.
To let him succeed here would be one other example of election denialism in action, and working at the highest level of American politics.
And while I’m appalled that so many are willing to let him get away with it, I’m glad and hopeful that enough others are standing up, and will continue to stand up to stop it.
I appreciate their leadership as they call it out.
And when this is over, I hope the Republicans who are standing up to it apply the same attitude and resistance to all other efforts to deny the results of fair elections.
Because it’s all the same damn thing.
And it's just as bad here in Ohio, with the election of State School Board members. Republicans didn't like it, so DeWeenie just decided to say "F@#k You, Ohio voters". The time has come for a sweeping out of ALL Republicans from ALL electable offices on ALL levels, until such time as they can read and understand Constitutions.
It has become for the GOP to defy the democratic process. A few GOP members have realized this and are fighting back! Gym Jordan is a thug period! He always kisses up to Trump and will stop at nothing to please his master! In baseball, 3 strikes and you’re out! Bye Gym!